DISABILITY ADVISER REF: SC3071

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1 Student Support Service The Post DISABILITY ADVISER REF: SC3071 The Disability Adviser will play a key role in the provision of specialist studentcentred advice and guidance to prospective and current students. Working closely with colleagues, the postholder will identify and facilitate the delivery of support to enable students to participate in the academic and social life of the University. Taking particular responsibility for students with diagnoses on the autism spectrum, the post-holder will also assist with applications for funding, in particularly Disabled Students Allowances, and liaise with colleagues across the University and with outside agencies to facilitate the provision of reasonable adjustments. Informal Discussion For an informal discussion please contact Dr Jane Lawrence (Head of Wellbeing) on Tel: or jane.lawrence@uea.ac.uk. Student Support Service Previously known as the Dean of Students Office, the Service aims to help enable all students to gain the maximum benefit from their University experience by offering specialist and general information, advice, guidance and counselling on practical, developmental and personal matters that are impacting on their ability to achieve their academic potential and personal goals. The Service also manages University residential accommodation, a dental practice, the University staff counselling service and works closely with, and is the liaison point with, the University s Multifaith Centre. Wellbeing at UEA The Wellbeing Service is made up of a team of mental health advisers, disability advisers and counsellors providing mental health and disability advice and guidance, counselling, therapeutic interventions, to a diverse student body. It offers professional placements to students on counselling and other therapy courses and employs some sessional advisers to help meet demand at busy times of the year. The section is primarily focussed on two areas of work:

2 the promotion of wellbeing: the provision of self-help materials, group activities that promote good mental well-being, and awareness raising mental health campaigns and staff training. working with individual students with disabilities or who are experiencing mental health difficulties. Students can self-refer or be referred by other services to the counsellors, mental health advisers, and disability advisers. The Wellbeing Team also supports those students seeking to return to study from a period when they have been away from their studies due to personal, physical or mental health reasons or for whom fitness to study has become an issue. Wellbeing staff work closely with staff in the University Medical Service and other NHS services and voluntary sector organisations to provide support, advice and guidance for students. The Disability Team support applicants and students with a variety of physical and sensory impairments, specific learning difficulties, mental health difficulties, long-term medical conditions and autism spectrum conditions. The team provides information and advice about the support available to enable them to access the full range of academic, social and personal development opportunities offered by the University. The team works with colleagues across the University and with outside agencies as necessary to facilitate the delivery of the necessary reasonable adjustments. Job Description A job description is attached as Appendix A. The precise duties will be agreed in discussion with the Manager. Person Specification The person specification for this post is attached as Appendix B. GENERAL Salary Salary in this part-time post will be 15,179 to 18,646 per annum (pro rata to 25,298 to 31,076 per annum) on Grade 6 on the single salary spine. The normal expectation is that starting salary will be at the minimum of the advertised salary scale. Starting date The post is available immediately on a part-time basis for a fixed term period to 21 April The working hours are 21 hours and 45 minutes per week (0.6 FTE) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

3 This temporary post is available to cover for the absence of the postholder on maternity leave. The appointment will be terminated (with four weeks notice) at the end of the week immediately preceding the return of the postholder from maternity leave. Terms and Conditions of appointment Full details of terms and conditions of employment for Secretarial & Clerical staff will be made available to the candidate to whom the appointment is offered. Annual Leave Entitlement There is an annual holiday entitlement of 25 days plus statutory (8 days) and customary (6 days) holidays, pro rata for part-time. Superannuation The post is superannuable under the Universities Superannuation Scheme. Disclosure and Barring Service This appointment will be subject to a criminal record check at Enhanced level from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Proof of Qualifications The person specification for this post lists qualifications that are essential and/or desirable and you may hold some or all of these qualifications. Please note that if you are short listed for interview you may be asked to bring to interview original certificates of these educational and professional qualifications. Please DO NOT provide these with your application. Entitlement to Work in the United Kingdom If you are shortlisted for interview you will be asked to bring to interview original documentary evidence of permission to work in the UK. Candidates invited to interview will be provided with a list of appropriate documents that can be provided as evidence. Please DO NOT provide this with your application. Workers from outside of the EU may be eligible to work in this role subject to their immigration status. As this role is not covered by the Home Office Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers, the University is not able to apply for a sponsorship certificate for this post. Occupational Health Assessment Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health Assessment to be carried out by the University s Occupational Health Service. APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

4 Your completed application form should quote reference code SC3071 and be returned by not later than 12 noon on 4 April 2017 in one of the following ways: accessed via the relevant vacancy details at then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically then saved and sent as an attachment to hr@uea.ac.uk or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from then downloaded in Word format to be completed electronically, then printed and posted to the Human Resources Division, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, or accessed via the relevant vacancy details from and downloaded in PDF format and printed, to be completed by hand and returned by post to the Human Resources Division at the address shown above or forms received by post from the Human Resources Division should be completed by hand or typed and returned by post to the above address. Postal applications will not be acknowledged unless a stamped addressed envelope/postcard is supplied. For paper submissions please ensure you add the correct postage to your application pack as failure to do so will considerably delay receipt by this office and may jeopardise your application for this post. Please note that feedback will not normally be provided to those applicants who are not shortlisted for this post. Please note that applications received after the closing date will not normally be accepted. If you are submitting an application by post immediately prior to the closing date please contact the Human Resources Division on to let us know that your application has been posted, and if possible also send a copy by fax to or by to hr@uea.ac.uk in order that we receive these by the closing date. Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form Please note that an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be completed and returned with ALL applications, whether submitted by post or by . If submitted by , the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form must be sent as a separate document/attachment to the Application Form. The Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be detached from the received application before short-listing takes place and will not form any part of either the short-listing or decision making process.

5 Referees In naming referees in your application, you are requested to give only those who can immediately be approached and one of these must be your current employer, or if not employed your most recent employer. Interviews It is anticipated that interviews and tests will take place on 19 April 2017 and candidates who have not heard by this date should assume their application has been unsuccessful. Successful shortlisted candidates may be notified of their interview times by telephone and/or and it is therefore essential you include both of these in your application. Candidates should note that travel and incidental expenses incurred in attending the interview will not be reimbursed. This document is available in alternative formats e.g. large print, disc and on-line. If you need this document in an alternative format please contact us on , fax , or

6 APPENDIX A JOB DESCRIPTION REF: SC3071 Job Title: Grade: Department: Reporting to: Disability Adviser 6 (Secretarial and Clerical) Student Support Service Head of Wellbeing Job Function/Purpose: The post-holder will play a key role in the provision of specialist, student-centred advice and guidance to prospective and current students. Working closely with colleagues, the Disability Adviser will identify and facilitate the delivery of support and facilities to enable students to participate in the academic and social life of the University. Taking particular responsibility for students with diagnoses on the autism spectrum, the postholder will assist with applications for funding, in particularly Disabled Students Allowances, and liaise with colleagues across the University and with outside agencies to facilitate the provision of reasonable adjustments. The post-holder will contribute more generally to service provision for students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties. Main duties include: To help ensure the timely processing of applications from prospective students who have declared a disability on their application to the University. To contribute to the provision of information, advice and guidance to prospective and current students with disabilities. To identify the support needs, facilities and adjustments required by prospective and the delivery of services for students presenting for assistance from the Disability Team. To manage a caseload of students with a range of disabilities, particularly those with autism spectrum diagnoses, under the direction of the Head of Wellbeing, supporting them effectively to access their programmes of studies and other aspects of University life. To assist students with their applications for Disabled Students Allowances, liaising as necessary with external agencies such as Student Finance England, NHS Business Services Authority and Assessment Centres; to guide them through the assessment process and assist them in accessing the approved services, liaising with appropriate University staff as necessary. To guide and monitor the work of mentors assigned to support students in the Adviser s caseload, liaising with other team members, University staff and any other relevant parties as required to assist in resolving issues arising. To maintain accurate and timely case notes of interactions with students and any consequent actions taken.

7 To record accurately information in the Accessibility Module in SITS (the University s student record system) to inform the delivery of reasonable adjustments for individual students. To play an active part in the Disability Team, sharing ideas and knowledge with other members of the team and with colleagues in the Student Support Service. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and good practice to support disabled students. Other tasks as might from time-to-time be requested by the Head of Wellbeing that are commensurate with the grade of the post. March 2017

8 PERSON SPECIFICATION APPENDIX B Post: Division: Disability Adviser (Ref: SC3071) Student Support Service A variety of assessment methods will be used as part of the selection process and this will include short listing using information provided on your application form, an interview and possibly a test and/or presentation. When completing your application you should ensure that you address each of the criteria indicated provide supporting examples demonstrating your experience where appropriate. Criteria Essential Desirable 1. Degree (or equivalent qualification) or relevant professional qualification and experience. 2. Experience of identifying the support required by disabled students, students with specific learning difficulties and mental health difficulties in a post- 16 learning environment. 3. Experience of case work. Education, experience and achievements Skills and knowledge Personal attributes 7. Excellent consultation skills. 8. Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English Language. 9. Up to date knowledge of equality legislation and its impact on higher education. 10. Good problem-solving and organisational skills. 11. Knowledge of autism spectrum disorders and their effects on adults in higher education. 12. Confident user of MS Office, the Internet and E- mail. 17. Willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve shared goals. 4. Experience of working with adults on the autism spectrum. 5. Experience of co-working in a mixed-service environment. 6. Experience of working as a Disability Adviser in a higher education setting. 13. Knowledge of Disabled Students Allowances. 14. Working knowledge of assistive technologies for disabled students. 15. Confident user of Excel and other databases. 16. Knowledge of the adjustments for disabled students which may be applied in higher education.

9 Special circumstances 18. Able to deal sensitively with a diverse range of individuals 19. Able to listen with empathy. 20. Able to prioritise and work flexibly to achieve deadlines. 21. Positivity about inclusion and facilitation of disabled students access to their course and the wider University experience. 22. Subject to receipt of an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. 23. Ability and willingness to undertake occasional out of hours working.